VALDOSTA — West Alabama's 39-28 win over Valdosta State Saturday night at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium was just the program's third-ever win over the Blazers and first in Valdosta. Here, Blazer Sports Beat breaks down Saturday's game by the numbers.
Ford nearing top 10 in TD receptions
With his two touchdown catches on Saturday, Gerald Ford hauled in his sixth and seventh TD receptions of the season. Ford is just four touchdown catches away from breaking into the school's top 10 list for touchdown receptions in a single season. Currently, Mike Bowman is in 10th on the all-time TD list in a single season with 11, a mark he accomplished in 1997. The school-record for touchdown catches in a season is 21, set by Robert Williams in 1994. Stanley Flanders is in second with 20 touchdown catches, which he also accomplished in the 1994 season with Chris Hatcher as the Blazers' quarterback.
Two QBs again
Saturday night, both quarterbacks Cayden Cochran and Graham Craig saw action due to Cochran leaving the game due to shoulder tenderness. Did you know: Since the start of the 2009 season, Valdosta State has played multiple quarterbacks in a game 22 times out of 35 games played.
Fumble recovery for TD
Tyler Josey's third quarter fumble recovery for Valdosta State was the Blazers' first since 2007 when Melvin Black recovered a fumble for a TD against Fort Valley State. It was a span of 58 games.
Smith kicks four FGs
West Alabama kicker Ryne Smith became the first opposing kicker to make four field goals in a game against Valdosta State since Oct. 17, 1998, a span of 162 games.
Yellow flags all over
Valdosta State committed 13 penalties for 124 yards Saturday, the majority of which were holding or unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. West Alabama committed 12 penalties for 69 yards, including an offside penalty on the opening kickoff that overturned a recovered fumble.
Blazers run for season-low in yards
Valdosta State rushed for a season-low 133 yards in Saturday's loss. VSU had eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark in the previous two games. In the season opening loss to Saginaw Valley State, the Blazers rushed for 144 yards.
Around the Gulf South Conference
In other GSC action from Saturday, Delta State defeated North Alabama, 20-12, in Cleveland, Miss. Shorter dropped its home opener to Division I-FCS opponent Charleston Southern, 23-20. West Georgia was idle.
Up next
Valdosta State hosts NAIA opponent Edward Waters next Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff. West Alabama hosts West Georgia.
— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper for more Valdosta State sports news.
